Predator

UK Release Date. 1 January 1988
Certification. 18
Running Time. 1 hour 47 mins
Director. John McTiernan
Cast. Shane Black, Bill Duke, Sonny Landham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, Carl Weathers.
Rating. 71%

Review.

Over the past three decades Predator has become somewhat regarded as a science fiction, action classic. It is not difficult so see why. Structurally, the film employs a basic 'trapped-behind-enemy-lines' storyline, but John McTiernan's direction is tight, claustrophobic and assured. He builds atmosphere and tension – you can almost feel the sweltering heat of the impenetrable jungle and growing sense of unease within the group - with as much skill as the numerous action set pieces. 

Long before he became a shambolic self-parody, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Major Schaefer (ubiquitously known as Dutch), the cigar-chomping leader of a crack commando team that is sent into the South American jungle on a political rescue mission. This is Schwarzenegger in his prime - at the height of his physical process - and he delivers a fearless and indestructible character in Dutch. Schwarzenegger is backed up by a strong supporting cast including Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Sonny Landham and Shane Black.

Predator is proficiently composed. McTiernan mixes a range of shots with slick transitions and energetic and kinetic photography. And special effects legend, Stan Winston deserves a great deal of praise for the creation of such a formidable adversary.

By today's standards, Predator may seem cheesy as hell, but there's no denying the film is enormously entertaining, with a host of quotable lines; "I ain't got time to bleed", "So you cooked up a story and dropped the six of us in a meatgrinder?" and "Run, go! Get to the chopper."

The film spawned a franchise - albeit a franchise that has never been a particularly complex one, and one that has consistently struggled to recreate the thrill of the original. That is... ...until Prey.